Washing machine comprising a unit for adding detergent active ingredients in portions

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a washing machine which operates using a method for adding solid or liquid detergent active ingredients in portions and comprises an electronic programme control unit ( 12 ) in addition to devices ( 13 ) for entering and/or determining information concerning the desired or required composition of a treatment programme, for determining and/or entering washing-related parameters, i.e. the type of washing introduced into the washing machine ( 15 ), the degree of soiling and/or the weight of said washing. Information concerning the detergent active ingredients and the washing is read in from automatically readable information carriers ( 20 ) by means of a read device ( 10, 18 ) and the programme control unit ( 12 ) calculates and issues recommendations for the addition of a particular type of a detergent active ingredient and the amount of said ingredient in conjunction with this information, the chosen treatment programme and the washing-related parameters.

The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a unit and a method for adding detergent active ingredients in portions and comprising an electronic program control unit in addition to devices for entering and/or determining information concerning the desired or required composition of a treatment program and for determining and/or entering washing-related parameters, i.e. the type, degree of soiling and/or mass of the washing introduced into the washing machine.

Such a program-controlled domestic appliance is described as a washing machine in DE 101 48 454 A1. There the type of detergent active ingredient and the required amount of the portion to be added is determined as a function of the composition of a chosen treatment program and further process parameters, which also relate for example to the items to be treated (amount, type, degree of soiling) and which are stored in a memory, and then displayed, so that the customer uses the display to take the necessary measures by specific selection and measuring of the detergent active ingredient. An inventive read device is not disclosed.

One weakness of this known washing machine is that the customer's action can be incorrect and is not monitored. This means that incorrect selection and dosing of the detergent active ingredient and inappropriate, in some instances even damaging treatment of the washing are possible.

A known device for entering data into an electronic control unit of a washing machine according to DE 33 03 292 A1 writes to data carriers, which have magnetically, electrically or optically readable code elements for the coded representation of the data to be entered. Such a data carrier has to be conveyed past a read device to read the data into a control unit, e.g. in proximity to the location of the container for the detergent active ingredient in question or on its route there. The data relates for example to the type, concentrate strength and/or dosing quantities. However the control unit can also calculate the dosing quantity required in the respective treatment program automatically. However this known device requires liquid detergent active ingredients, which are stored in quite large quantities within the washing machine, and does not allow any option for the manual portioning of powder or otherwise solid detergent active ingredients.

Information in the form of a bar code or another automatically analyzable representation, e.g. in the form of a transponder, can also be contained in an identification element according to EP 0 624 312 A1. This is a transmitter which emits information that can be analyzed further to a signal. Such a known identification system can also be used for treating textiles.

DE 100 39 408 A1 discloses a domestic machine for cleaning items, in particular a washing machine or dishwasher with an apparatus for capturing at least one parameter of a detergent used in order thus to achieve better dosing. It is also proposed that dosing should additionally be made a function of the type, soiling and amount of items to be washed in the program sequence controller. The apparatus provided to capture the detergent information is a read unit, which can be a bar code reader, a transponder read device or a card reader for chip cards. An inventive read device or a display unit for displaying the dosing quantity is not disclosed.

DE 197 47 150 relates to a domestic appliance with an apparatus for reading out information, which is stored on machine-readable transponders on textile products. In this instance the read device is positioned in proximity to the loading opening of a domestic appliance, in this instance a washing machine. A read device which reads in detergent information and is integrated in the panel is not disclosed.

DE 101 44 667 discloses a domestic appliance with a unit for reading out and analyzing data stored in a transponder. A program control unit, which can calculate a dosing quantity recommendation from the data and display it on a display unit, is however not disclosed.

The object of the present invention was to provide a washing machine and a method for adding detergent active ingredients in portions, with which external information can be used for a dosing recommendation and its display.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a washing machine comprising a unit 21 for adding detergent active ingredients in portions and comprising an electronic program control unit 12 in addition to devices 13 for entering and/or determining information concerning the desired or required composition of a treatment program and for determining and/or entering washing-related parameters, i.e. the type, degree of soiling and/or mass of the washing 15 introduced into the washing machine, and with a read device 18 for the automatic reading in of information concerning a detergent active ingredient, which is to be used in the treatment program, which is contained in an automatically readable information carrier 20, with the program control unit 12 calculating and issuing a recommendation for the addition of a particular type of one of a number of detergent active ingredients and the amount of said ingredient as a function of this information, the chosen treatment program and the washing-related parameters, characterized in that the read device 18 is arranged behind an operating panel 16 and that a display unit 14 is present, on which the recommendation can be displayed.

The read device is preferably a read device which recognizes transponders (RFID tags). The positioning of the read device behind or integrated in the operating panel is particularly advantageous for the user, as the operating panel is at a height which is convenient for the manual passage of items. This avoids complex actions with external read devices and sensors, which are positioned at less accessible points on the appliance, for example in the region of the filling opening.

The read device is preferably identified as such on the operating panel. If it is an optical read device, a window can also expediently be provided in the operating panel.

A further advantage of positioning the read device in the region of the operating panel is the fact that the electronic system of the read device can also be connected or attached to the printed circuit board that is already present.

In one preferred embodiment the read device is embodied so that it can read in information relating to the washing to be washed as well as information concerning a detergent active ingredient. For example washing items can also be provided with information carriers, for example transponders, as already described in DE 197 47 150 A1 and DE 198 55 503 A1.

The invention also relates to a method for adding detergent active ingredients in portions to a washing machine with an electronic program control unit in addition to devices for entering and/or determining information concerning the desired or required composition of a treatment program and for determining and/or entering washing-related parameters, i.e. the type, degree of soiling and/or mass of the washing introduced into the washing machine, characterized in that information concerning detergent active ingredients, which are to be used in the treatment program, and information concerning the washing is read in from automatically readable information carriers and that the program control unit calculates and issues a recommendation for the addition of a particular type of detergent active ingredient and the amount of said ingredient as a function of this information, the chosen treatment program and the washing-related parameters.

This method is particularly advantageous, as it can process information concerning detergent active ingredients together with information concerning the washing items to be washed and can create an optimal treatment program therefrom.

The information carriers are expediently transponders but other types of information carrier can also be used, e.g. bar codes and the like, as long as the information carriers are automatically readable.

The method is particularly suitable for washing items which are in turn provided with transponders, which contain information concerning the type of washing item, for example the type of material (e.g. silk, wool, etc.), the color and manufacturer's details relating to the wash program (e.g. 30° C., no spin). The method is also preferably embodied so that the user only has to pass the washing items in the region of the read device before introducing them into the washing machine and the read device recognizes the washing items from their information carriers and can forward this information to the program control unit. The read device should also be able to determine the weight or mass of the washing after the end of loading to tailor dosing to the washing items.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a washing machine, with the parts inside the housing that are essential to the invention shown transparent for the sake of simplicity,

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the washing machine demonstrating possible positions of the read device, and

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a detergent drawer with three chambers for prewash detergent, main wash detergent and fabric conditioner.

The outer tub 2 is supported so that it oscillates within the housing 1 in a manner not shown in detail. It encloses a washing drum 3, which can be driven at the rear by way of a belt drive 4 by means of an electric motor 5 mounted in a suspended manner on the outer tub 2. At the front the washing drum 3 and the outer tub 2 have loading openings of roughly identical size that are flush with one another and are connected by way of a rubber sleeve 7 to a loading opening 9 in the housing 1. The washing drum 3 can be loaded with clothing 15 through these openings and can be unloaded through them. The loading opening 9 can be sealed by means of a door 8 for operation of the washing machine.

Above the loading opening 9 is a read device 10, 18, which is preferably embodied as a read device which recognizes transponders (RFID tags). Such a read device can also be used for example to recognize washing items provided with transponders, as described in DE 197 47 150 A1. Such a read device 10, 18 can also be used to read transponders 20, which are provided with the packaging 19 of a detergent active ingredient and contain information concerning the accompanying detergent active ingredient.

The read information can be forwarded by way of a data line 11 to a program control unit 12, which serves to accept and further process inputs from the customer into input devices 13 and to control the overall treatment process. In this program control unit 12 the read information is also converted to recommendations for the selection and dosing of the detergent active ingredient as a function of process parameters and displayed in a readable manner on a display unit 14 (FIG. 2).

The control unit 12 is positioned behind the operating panel 16 shown in FIG. 2. It can be supplied by the customer with desired parameters (program and additive parameter input) by means of the input elements 12 (rotary selector and buttons). The control unit 12 uses these and further values relating to the washing items measured or sensed in the machine or fixed preset values to calculate a program composition and recommendations for the addition of detergent active ingredients, which the customer has to place in a detergent dispenser (FIG. 3), which is located behind the panel 17 in the upper region of the machine housing 1.

These recommendations require that the memory (not shown separately) of the control unit 12 contains detergent data. A new washing machine may have obtained such data by means of a presetting, which was stored in the factory. It can however also be stored by means of measures on the part of the customer when the washing machine is switched on. To this end a read device 10—as in FIG. 1—is arranged on the housing 1 of the washing machine according to the broken lines in proximity to the loading opening 9 above the door 8. In practice this is the positioning site of choice, when washing elements with transponders are also read in when being introduced into the washing drum. If no washing transponder read device 10 is provided, the read device 18 can preferably be positioned behind the operating panel 16. This (or the read device 10) can then be used to read out an information carrier 20 of a detergent active ingredient, e.g. on passage of the information carrier 20 on the packaging 19. Its information contains data concerning the detergent active ingredient in the packaging 19; this is now stored in the memory of the control unit and used for the treatment process for which preparations are currently being made and also for treatment processes to be prepared for later. The data stored in the memory of the control unit is valid until it is replaced by new data for the respective detergent active ingredient.

The detergent drawer 21 shown from above in FIG. 3 is removed completely from its cavity in the housing 1 of the washing machine and provides a view of the chambers, which are open at the top, for providing individual portions of detergent active ingredients. The chamber 22 marked I for prewash powder detergent and the compartment 23 marked II for main wash powder detergent are positioned on either side of the chamber 24 marked with a flower symbol * for liquid fabric softener. It also contains a suction lifter 25, through which the fabric softener can flow to the outer tub 2. All the detergent active ingredients are transported by fresh water directed into the chambers from above—by way of valves (not shown) switched by the control unit—to the outer tub 2.

Instead of a read device 10 or 18, in the case of a washing machine connected to a data network by means of a data network interface, the data can also be read in at any other point in the data network or be output from there back to the control unit 12 of the washing machine. If this data network is a local network, this data must of course be available in this local network. If the local network can also be linked to a global network, then data relating to the respective detergent active ingredients can of course also be obtained from this global network. To this end the data in the information carrier 20 can contain a reference to the retrieval site in the global network, e.g. the UBA number of the detergent active ingredient or a URL address. The required data can be retrieved from there.

The following data at least should be contained in the information transmitted to the control unit:

type of detergent active ingredient (all-purpose, color, wool, mild, curtain, etc. detergents, fabric softener)

dosing recommendations as a function of amount of washing, degree of soiling and water hardness

the following data can also be included in the information:

manufacturer ID, e.g. brand, to be shown in the display unit 14

product information of other products by the detergent manufacturer (for promotion purposes).

The data can be stored in standard form, e.g. with the composition of the detergent active ingredients, according to the most significant substances, which are the same for all detergents. This allows the recommendations to be tailored to the respective washing machine type. For example the dosing recommendation can be smaller, if the washing machine type in question is designed to utilize particular detergent characteristics (e.g. enzymes). The control unit of a washing machine can also tailor a treatment process specifically to particular elements of the transmitted information.

The calculation process for a dosing recommendation can take place as follows: switching on the washing machine, selecting a wash program, optionally selecting additional parameters.

The control unit calculates the maximum load quantity and issues a recommendation for a particular type of detergent active ingredient. This recommendation can be issued on the basis of the following table:

Program selection Detergent type Wash temperature ≧60° C. All-purpose detergent Colored washing up to 50° C. Color detergent Easy-care up to 50° C. Mild detergent Special curtain program Curtain detergent Wool Wool detergent . . . . . .

If the control unit already knows the dosing recommendation for a particular detergent active ingredient of a manufacturer, the product name is displayed immediately. To this end for example the product name is output, for which this dosing recommendation was last read in.

Confirmation of the recommendation or selection of a different detergent active ingredient by the customer from a list stored in the machine.

Instead of the selection from the list, new data of a different detergent active ingredient can also be entered and stored. This data is then immediately available for the prepared treatment program. The product name of the selected active ingredient and the brand or manufacturer's trademark are output to the display unit as confirmation.

Selection of a Degree of Soiling

“Normal soiling” is preset as the standard value. The customer can change this value to “slight” or “heavy” soiling. If sensors are present in the washing machine for automatic recognition of the degree of soiling, the recommendation will automatically take corresponding account of these.

Water hardness is entered once when the washing machine is set up according to information from the competent water company and stored in the memory.

Loading the Washing

In this process the load quantity is shown as a % value in the display unit and the dosing recommendation for the displayed detergent is issued in ml or number of measures (relating to the volume of the assigned measure). This dosing recommendation is calculated by the control unit of the washing machine as a function of the set water hardness, the selected (or measured) degree of soiling and the determined amount of washing according to the data provided by the manufacturer of the detergent active ingredient.

Using the invention offers a number of advantages for the customer. The customer no longer has to think about selecting the most suitable detergent active ingredient and the required amount of detergent. This means that excessive detergent dosing is less likely. Also inadequate dosing, which is associated in the longer term with poor wash results and ultimately gray washing, can thus be more easily avoided. Ecological aspects can be taken better into account, as the selection of detergent types is more specific, for example no all-purpose detergent at wash temperatures lower than 60° C. The characteristics of the detergent active ingredients can also be optimally utilized in this manner. Detergent manufacturers have the benefit of a higher brand profile and greater product loyalty on the part of the customer.

The invention can also be used with automatic dosing and dispensing devices (not shown here) for washing machines. To this end the recommendation can expediently be converted to a function for the automatic dispensing of a portion of a particular detergent active ingredient selected according to the recommendation and measured by the machine. The dosing and dispensing device will then convert the recommendation directly to a measure for the appropriate dosing of a particular one of a number of detergent active ingredients stored in the machine and automatically add it to the treatment process at the most suitable time. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A washing machine comprising: a receiving area for receiving items to be subjected to a treatment program; an operating panel; an arrangement for adding detergent active ingredients into the receiving area in connection with a treatment program, the arrangement including an electronic program control unit, a device for providing information concerning a treatment program, a device for providing information concerning washing-related parameters, a device for the automatic input of information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program, the program control unit being operable to process information received from the device for providing information concerning a treatment program, the device for providing information concerning washing-related parameters, and the device for the automatic input of information concerning a detergent active ingredient and to generate one of a recommendation and a non-recommendation with regard to at least one of an addition of a selected detergent active ingredient and an amount of a selected detergent active ingredient as a function of the received information, and the device for the automatic input of information concerning a detergent active ingredient being located inwardly of the operating panel; and a display unit, the display unit being operable to display information concerning a recommendation or a non-recommendation generated by the program control unit.
 16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15 and further comprising a device for automatically adding a measured active detergent ingredient portion and the arrangement for adding detergent active ingredients is operable to convert a recommendation to a function processable by the device for automatically adding a measured active detergent ingredient portion for automatic adding a portion of a selected detergent active ingredient selected according to the recommendation and measured by the device for automatically adding a measured active detergent ingredient portion.
 17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device for the automatic input of information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program is a read device and the read device recognizes transponders (RFID tags).
 18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the read device is operable to read in information from information carriers relating to both detergent active ingredients and a treatment program.
 19. A method for adding detergent active ingredients in a washing machine, the method comprising: obtaining information concerning a treatment program relating to treatment of an item received in a receiving area of a washing machine; gathering information concerning washing-related parameters; receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program; processing via an electronic program control unit the information obtained information concerning a treatment program, the information gathered concerning washing-related parameters, and the information received via automatic input concerning a detergent active ingredient; and generating one of a recommendation and a non-recommendation with regard to at least one of an addition of a selected detergent active ingredient and an amount of a selected detergent active ingredient as a function of the received information.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that is present in solid or liquid form.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information from information carriers carrying information relating to the detergent active ingredients.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information from information carriers in the form of bar code identifiers carrying information relating to the detergent active ingredients.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information from information carriers in transponders carrying information relating to the detergent active ingredients and the information is present in the form of codings of electrical or electronic characteristics that can be transmitted back.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input data concerning the type of detergent active ingredient.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input data relating to the washing.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information relating to dosing recommendations, which vary as a function of the selected wash program, the amount of washing, the degree of soiling and the water hardness.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information that is in the form of a file, which is output as a displayable manufacturer ID.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving as an automatic input information concerning a detergent active ingredient that can be added in connection with a treatment program includes receiving as an automatic input information that is in the form of files, which are output as displayable product information relating to further products by the manufacturer of the detergent active ingredient or the washing. 